Sprinkler



Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATESv -j1,to,z PATENT oFFlc.

JOHN H. KEYS, OF D'AYTON. OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DAYTON IRRIGATION COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

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Application led August 7,

My invention relates to waterdistribution or irrigation and more particularly to sprinklers of the automatic type.

The invention pertains first, tothe automatic actuation of a distributor nozzle through rotary movement by the use of a planetary gear train actuated by a supplemental discharge of 'water under pressure.

This fluid pressure operated rotor which rotatesv at a comparatively high rate of speed operates through the planetary gear tram to rotate the main dischaugeY nozzle at a reduced speed. Second, the invention pertains to a mounting for such automatic sprinkler, whereby the sprinkler is permanently installed in a'law'n or other area to be irrigated and is normally concealed in a sunken receiver or container masked by a closure lid carrying a section of turf or sod,

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which entirelyy conceals the location of the sprinkler when inoperative. The sprinkler is elevated under fluid pressure carrying upwardly with' it the sod carrier or closure,

which is returned `to the ground level up on retraction of the sprinkler.y In the present instance, the ysprinkler is actuated by jet the structure as well as the means. and modeV of operation of such -automatic sprinklers"y whereby they will not only be cheapened in'k construction, but will be more eiiicient in use, positive in. operation, uniform ,in action. automatic, and unlikely to get outof repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved form of automatic driving mechanism whereby the main sprinkler head or distributor nozzle will be slowly. rotated under influence of fluid pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide adjustable jet or propeller arms for such sprinkler heads.

A further object oi' the invention is to provide an improved mounting for such automatic sprinklers, whereby the sprinkler head may be actuated to and from operative position under fluid pressure control and to provide means for not only concealing the 1522. serial No. 580,256.V

sprinkler, but for restoring the surface of the lawn, or turf to natural condition upon 'retraction ofthe Asprinkler head.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved turf or sod carrier automatically controlled by the fluid pressure- Jfor closin the sprinkler receiver or receptacle whic will not present obstruction to the passage of a -lawn mower, and which when employed on a golf course will permit uninterrupted play across thevlocation of the sprinkler.

With Vthe above primary and other inl cidental objects in view as will more "fully appear in the specification, the invention consists ofthe featuresvof construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and themode of operation, or their equivalents as` hereinafter described and set .forth in the.. claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of an automatic sprinkler forming the subject matter hereof installed in a lawn, the sprinkler being shown in itsl elevated or operative position. Fg. 2 is. a side elevation of the sprinkler in its retracted position with` the 'receptacle orrreceiver closed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of f the assembled sprinkler in elevated or op` erative position. Fig. 4f isan enlarged `vertical sectional view illustrating the relation' or the operative parts.` Fig. 5 is a detail view of the pressure actuated rotor or runner. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of modications of the planetaryv transmission. Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation oi a medincation of the rotary sprinkler head. 9 is a detail sectional view ot a modification wherein the annular by-pass is formed in the stem, such being a reversal oit the disclosure shown in -Fig. 5.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several signed to be permanently installed and sup# plied with waterunder pressure through underground pipes or conduits leading from a suitable source of supply. When inoperative the sprinkler is not only concealed or masked, but the closure for the receiver agrees in 'appearance `exactly with the sury13, 'engaged within the rounding surface of the ground and presents no obstruction to a lawn mower and affords an even uniform surface which renders it particularly desirable upon golf courses, and analogous locations.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily the only embodiment of the invention, 1 is a sunken receiver or enclosure for the sprinkler head, which enclosure or receiver is embedded in the earth. 'll-his receiver 1 is preferably of cylindrical form, the bottom of which is provided with a spud or boss 2 for attachment of a vertically disposed supply pipe 3. lThis supply pipe communicates with a suitable source of supply of water under pressure. Telescopically engaged in the vertical pipe 3 is a reciprocatory tubular stem 4, having at its lower end an enlarged head 5, which approximately fits the interior of the pipe 3, forming therein a piston head subjected to the pressure of the water. This reciprocatory telescopic stem 4 is provided with a sliding bearing` 6 in the bottom of the receptacle or receiver 1. rlhis bearing' is preferably though `not necessarily a babbitt bearing or of other construction affording a suitable wear resistance but comparatively tight joint. rlhe head 5 of the stein, may if desired,y be provided with packing' rings or an annular collar of packing material intermediate the periphery of the head and the interior wall of the pipe 3. However, in practice, such construction has not been found necessaryv under ordinary conditions of use. The distributor head and actuating mechanism therefor, are carried by the reciprocatory stem 4. The distributor comprises a nozzle 7, which may be ofy any suitable or desired construction, but is preferably similar to the ordinary type of hose nozzle in common use. This nozzle is inounted at an inclination lto the vertical upon the upper end of a revoluble trunnion stein 8. This hollow trunnion shaft 8 is revolubly mounted in a bearing head 9, fixedly secured upon the upper end of the reciprocatory shaft 4. ln the present instance, the bearing head 9 has been shown counter-bored to form an interior shoulder or thrust bearing 10, which co-acts with a peripheral flange 11, formed integrally at ythe extremity of the revoluble trunnion stem 8. Anti-friction washers 12 are preferably interposed be tween the peripheral bearing flange 11 and the shoulder 10. ln order to facilitate the assembly of the device and permit the insertion of the enlarged head or .danged extremity 11 of the trunnion 8 through the bearing head 9. the latter is provided with a bushing` head 9 beyond the peripheralgfiang'e 11 of the trunnion, and within which is screw threaded the upper end of the reciprocatory plunger or stem 4. lThe construction is such that the nozzle 7 carried escenas upon the revoluble hollow trunnion 8 is vertically movable in unison with the reciprooation of the plunger 4, but is capable of rotation independent 'thereof within the bearing head 9, iixedly connect-ed tothe plunger. ln the preferred form of construction shown in detail in Fig. 4, the bearing head 9 carries a spur gear 14 fixedly secured thereto and hence non-rotatable. Secured to the revoluble hollow trunnion 8 is a second spur gear 15, concentric with the stationary gear 14 and rotatable in relation therewith. This gear 15 is secured upon the hollow trunnion stem 8 by means of a set screw 18', or by a suitable key or other attachment means. Loosely journaled upon the hollow trunnion 8, above the spur' gear 15 for independent rotary movement upon 'the trunni-on, is a runner or rotor. 'This .rot-or comprises a sleeve 16, having a running fit upon the trunnion, the base of 'which is ertended in a flanged disc 17 to form an enclosing housingv for the gears 14 and 15. lhis flanged disc or housing 17 is provided with a segmental extension 18 at one side enclosing a gear pinion 19` pivotally mounted upon a suitable stub 20, and in'terineshing with both gears 14 and 15.

Formed within the interior of the runner or rotor sleeve 18 is an annular groove or internal recess 21, registering `with discharge orifices 22 in the tubular trunnion 8. Ei;- tending,` radially from 'the rotor sleeve 16 areshort conduits or tubular arms communicating with the annular groove or rccess 21. livoted or otherwise flexibly connected with vthese short tubular arms 23 are jet arms or propeller arms 24. "'ihese arms have at their extremity, one or more small perforations or outlet lorifices through which are discharged jets of water 'under pressure, the reaction of which serve to rotate the sleeve 18 and housing),` 1? about 'the trunnion 8. The housing disc, lll', carries stop na'ers 28 which form rests for 'the or propeller arms 24 when extended. These arms 24 also carry stop studs 27 in the present instance, merely a screw, which engage the under sides of the stop ngers 26 to limit the retractive or folding movement of the arms. The gear housing 17 is formed with an enlargement 28 at one side which affords a counter-balance for the pinion 19. The gears 14 and 15 are nearly the same size but vary slightly, oneI having one or a few more teeth than theiother. In practice, sprinklerheads have been constructed, wherein one of these gears contains flftvnine teeth and the other sixty, while the pinion contains fourteen teeth. ln other instances. one of the gears is provided with a hundred and six teeth. while the other ,dear has one hundred and four teeth. However, the proportions of these'gears may be varied according to conditions of use and the desired relativeA lil) kcarried around and around 'the gear. .It vwill travel around the stationary gear as a rack. Due to the unequal number of teeth in the gearswla and 15, it will cause a small relative adjustment of these gears in relation with each other. The gears being so nearly the same size and the number of teeth being so slightly different, the single pinion will readily vintermesh with both gears. However, if any considerable variation in size of gears is made a correspondingly stepped vpinion should be provided. The direction of rotation of the independently revoluble `gear 15 and the nozzel` 7 is dependent upon whether such wear 15 is larger or smaller than the gear .14. By reversing these gears,

Vthat is substituting the larger for the smaller,

and lvice versa, the direction of rotation of the nozzle may bereversed. The gears, however, are preferably though not. necessarily.y

arranged to rotate the nozzle 7 in the same direction as the rotation of the runner or 'rotor I16 but at a reduced rate of speed. The

nozzle may, however, by interchange ofthe gears as before'described, be made to rotate in a' direction reverse of the direction ofv rotation of the .rotor 16. As amodification of the planetary gear i transmission, illustrated in Fig. 6, a gear 15 ber, while the gear 15 is the driven member. f The modification shown in Fig. 7 differs: fronr both of these by mounting the gear f 19 upon an arm' 30 ixedly secured to the bearing head 9. This pinion 19 meshes with the driver gear 15 carried by the runner or.` rotor 16 and also with the driven geat` 14 which in this case is mounted upon the trunnion 8. Whichever construction is employed the ultimate result will be substantially the same. Projecting upward from the distributor nozzle 7 is a standard or strut 31, which carries a sod pan or closure lid' 32 for the receptacle 1. This pan is of a diameter substantially agreeing vwith the receptacle 1 and is adapted, to t within the top of the receptacle when the sprinkler head 'is'retracted The pan or closure 32 is of suflicient depth to carry a piece of sod or turf and ample soil to keep the grass alive. The standard or strut 31 1s .of such length, that when the sprinkler head lawn.

Vthe surrounding lawn surface.

is retracted to the full limit of its downward movement, the closure pan will be drawn within the mouth of the receptacle 1 to afford a uniform surface with the surrounding j, The downward movement of the sprinkler head is limited by the engagement of the head 9 or the bushin 13 with the bottom of the receptacle, so t at there is little or no strain transmitted to the sod pan 32.

. ln operation when the water is turned on from a distant control valvethe water pressure within the pipe 3 acting upon the lower end or head of the ,telescopic plunger 4., will elevate the plunger carrying the sprinklerhead and ireceptacle closure upwardly untii the distributor head is' above the level of In this upward movement the arms 24 fall outwardly by gravity. However, ifI they do not immediately fall the ldischarge of water through such arms 4and, the centrifugal tendency of the rotating head will carry the arms to .the full limit. of their youtward movement. The reaction of the discharge jets of waterrotates the runner or rotor 16,

which acting through the planetary gear` transmission serves to rotate the nozzle 7 at a reduced rate of speed. This nozzle 7 may be adjusted to discharge a stream to any desired distance. rlhe]intermediate area in close proximity to the location of the sprin kier h'ead will be amply irrigated by the jets discharged from the propeller arms 4. Upon shutting off the water supply at 'the distant valve, the fluidpressure being relieved, the sprinklerhead will descend by gravity. The engagement ,of the propeller arms 2st with the edge of the receptacle 1` Serves to flex thesearms upwardly about their pivotal or jointed connection with the head, into a compact form to enter the receptacle l, At the final limit of its descent, the sprinkler head will draw the closure plan 2 into engagement with the open top of the receptacle. y

The closure pan 32 is preferably, though not necessarily provided with a central eye or loop 33j which may be engaged by a suitable hook or other tool to lift the sprinkler head for inspection and repairs without the necessity of turning on the water pressure.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a de- Avice of the character describedA possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its'form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involvedor sacrificing any of its advantages.

`While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invenica tion is not limited to the specific details shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprises the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications Within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

l. ln an automatic sprinkler, two revoluble sprinkler heads rotating at dillerent rates of speed, a support therefor, and a. planetary gear train comprising two gears of different size and a third gear meshing with both the first mentioned gears, the gears of said planetary train being connected one with each sprinkler head and one with the support.

2. The combination with tivo relatively revoluble nozzles, and a support therefor, one of said nozzles being operated by fluid pressure, and a planetary gear train tor trans` mitting motion from one nozzle to the other.

3. A sprinkler including in combination, a tubular stem to which Water yis supplied under pressure, a slow rotating lonp range discharge nozzle mounted upon said stem and deriving its `Water supply therefrom, a high speed, short range reaction distributor head also mounted upon said stem and receiving its supplyy of Water therefrom, the long range slo'vvrotating nozzle being adapted to discharge above and beyond the range of Water discharged from the high speed short range head, and means for effecting the rotation of the nozzle simultaneously with the rotation of said distributor head.

d. ln an automatic sprinkler,` a nozzle mounted for pivotal movement, a gear .meinber movable with the nozzle, asupport for the nozzle, a stationary gear member carried by the support, the effective magnitude of which is different trom. that of the nozzle gear, a rotary sprinkler head, and a planetary pinion carried by thesprinkler head and simultaneously int-ermeshin'g With the stationary support gear and the movable nozzle gear to transmit pivotal movement to the nozzle.

5. ln an automatic sprinkler, a revoluble discharge nozzle, a reaction sprinkler head, a support upon which the nozzle and sprinkler head are mounted for rotary movement, a gear train including a pair of gear members oi' like diameters but having dii'i'erent numbers of teeth, one of said gear members being mounted upon the nozzle and the other upon the support, and a planetary rear pinion carried by the reaction sprinkler head and simultaneously meshing With the Isaid nozzle and support gears, and by its travel eile'cting a differential movement thereof to rotate the nozzle at a reduced rate of speed.

neonazis 6. In an automatic sprinkler, tivo rotary sprinkler heads, revoluble at dilierent rates of speed, one of the sprinkler heads being fluid pressure actuated, said sprinkler heads being concentrically mounted, a pair of gears of diierentmagnitude also mounted concentrically with said sprinkler head and a gear pinion common to both gears, one of said gears being operatively connected with one ot the sprinkler heads, one of the gears being held stationary, and the other gear being carried by the other sprinkler head, whereby motion is transmitted from one sprinkler head to the other.

7. ln an automatic sprinkler, a pivoted nozzle, a support therefor, a fluid pressure actuated sprinkler head mounted concentrically with the pivotal connection of the nozzle, and a planetary gear train. for transmitting' motion at reduced speed from the sprinkler head to the nozzle.

8. In an automatic disappearing sprinkler, a vertically movable nozzle, iluid pressure controlled means for raising and lowering the nozzle, a sunken chamber into which the nozzle is lowered, and a sod carrier movable up and down with the nozzle and forming a closure for the. nozzle receiving chamber,

9. ln a disappearing" sprinkler, the combination with a sunken receptacle to receive a sprinkler head and a sprinkler head movable into and out of the sunken receptacle, of a pan like closure for said receptacle to contain a section or turf and means by which the pan is automatically moved into and out ol; closing position in accordance with the movement of the sprinkler head into and out of the receptacle.

l0. ln a disappearing sprinkler, the combination With a sunken receptacle to receive a sprinkler head movable into and out ot the receptacle, et a sod pan forming a closure for the receptacle, and adapted to oontain a section oit turf and means for automatically moving the sod pan and its contents into and out of closing position, in relation with the receptacle, in unison with the movement of the sprinkler head.

ll. ln a construction of the character described, the. combination with a sunken receptacle to receive a sprinkler head, oli a .sod carier forming a closure for the receptacie, and means controlled by the operation of the sprinkler head for moving the sod carriery into and out oi' closing relation with the receptacle.

l2. lin a construction ot the character described, the combination with a sunken receptacle to receive a sprinkler head, olf a sod carrier forminga closure for the receptacle, and carried by the sprinkler head.

13. ln a disappearing sprinkler, tivo relatively rotatable distributors revoluble in uuison at different rates or' speed, one of said Ilo distributors having substantially radially disposed jet arms foldable to and from positions substantially parallel with the axis of rotation, means for raising and lowering the distributor heads and means for extending and retracting the jet arms in unison with the vertical movement of the distributor heads.

14:. In a disappearing sprinkler, two sprinkler heads relatively rotatable in relation with each other including a plurality of radially adjustable jet arms, a sunken receptacle into which the sprinkler heads are retractible, means for raising and lowering the sprinkler heads out of and into the sunken receptacle, said radially adjustable arms being retracted when said heads are within the receptacle.

15. A sprayer comprising in combination, a vertical tubular support having means for connection with a water supply, a reaction sprinkler head rotatably mountedon said support and deriving its water supply therefrom, a nozzle rotatably mounted on said support and communicating therewith and disposed at a higher elevation than said head, and ,means for positively rotating the nozzle at a reduced speed from the reaction sprinkler head.

16. A sprayer comprising in combination, a vertical tubular support having means for connection with a water supply, a reactionsprinkler head rotatably mounted on said support and deriving its water supply therefrom, a nozzle rotatably mounted on said support and communicating therewith and disposed at a higher elevation than said head` and means for positively rota-ting the nozzle at a reduced speed from the reaction sprinkler head, said rotating means comprising a reduction gear train between said reaction sprinkler head and said nozzle.

17. A sprinkler comprising in combination, a central tubular stem rotatably mounted to turn on a vertical axis, a nozzle secured to the upper end of the stem, a reaction sprinkler head rotatably mounted on. the tubular stem `and deriving its water sup ply therefrom, and means for positively driving the central tubular stem at a reduced speed from the reaction sprinkler head.

18. A sprinkler, comprising the combinat-ion with a hollow head to which a water supply under pressure is delivered, a central tubular stem rotatably mounted in the head to project from its upper end and retained againstendwise movement therein, said' stem having a nozzle secured lto its upper end to angularly project therefrom,l a reaction sprinkler head rotatably mounted on the central stem and deriving its water supply therefrom, and means for positively rotating' thhe (pent-ral stem from the reaction sprinkler 19. A sprinkler, comprising the combination with a hollow head to which a water supply under pressure is delivered, a central tubular stem rotatably mounted in the head to project from its upper end and retained against endwise movement therein,

said stem having a nozzle secured to its upper end to angularly project therefrom, a reaction sprinkler head rotatably mounted on the central stem and deriving its water supply therefrom, and means for mechanically connecting the reaction sprinkler head t0 the central tubular stem to rotate it.

In testimonyhwhereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of August A. D. 1922.

. JOHN H. KEYS. 

